Women’s football

RACHEL DALY praised Kenza Dali’s ‘special talent’ after Aston Villa derailed Manchester City’s title hunt clinching a 1-1 draw.Kirsty Hanson’s first-half-leveller saw the Citizens drop points at home in the league for the second time this season.
Kirsty Hanson was on target for the visitors who moved up to fifth in the league after a 1-1 draw with Manchester CityCredit: Getty
Khadija Shaw gave the Citizens an early home lead with her tenth league goal this termCredit: Reuters
Carla Ward’s side have claimed four points from their two league games against Man City this seasonCredit: Reuters
City, who have gone 13 games unbeaten across all competitions, are currently five behind WSL leaders Chelsea. 
But they could end up eight points off the Blues if the league leaders beat Liverpool at home on Sunday. 
Dali and Hanson, who is on loan from Man United, helped pull the strings in Villa’s attack as they notched up their second win in a row since the start of this year. 
Of Dali’s display, Daly, who previously played alongside the France playmaker at West Ham, told Sky Sports: “This girl’s a special talent.
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“She doesn’t quite get the credit that she deserves.
“We had chemistry before (on the pitch) when we’re at West Ham together straight off the bat and we’ve brought it here.”
Victory for Villa has seen them go unbeaten against City home and away in a WSL season for the first time since their promotion to the top tier in 2020. 
They put in an effective counter-attacking display equalising within three minutes of their hosts’ opener.
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The team are now fifth before their league cup quarters clash with Arsenal on Thursday. 
Villa boss Carla Ward said: “I don’t think there’s been a game this year where we parked the bus. 
“If we’re going to shorten the gap (between ourselves and other teams) over the next couple of years, it’s important we continue to play with the style and identity that we set out at the start of the season.
“To be fair this (performance) will give the girls hope.
“We have gone out and competed with one of the best teams in the country and possibly dented their Champions League hopes.”
City got off to a flyer with Khadija Shaw almost capitalising on a Villa error
The visitors’ goalkeeper Anna Leat gave the ball away in the fourth minute with Chloe Kelly hitting the side netting moments later. 
And Gareth Taylor’s side took the lead in the 28th minute with Deyna Castellanos poking home after an assist threaded through from Shaw. 
But the visitors burst their bubble shortly after with Hanson levelling just minutes later, after a looped delivery from Daly. 
The second spell saw Kerstin Casparij come on for City after an injury to Esme Morgan with Rachel Corsie coming for Danielle Turner.
And both sides came close to nabbing winners with Hanson thumping the post with a curved effort and Shaw forcing a close range save from Leat in injury time. 
City boss Taylor said: “Our concentration span was poor for the goal we conceded. 
Taylor’s side will hope to return to winning ways when they visit Leicester in their next WSL fixture on February 4Credit: Reuters
“We just couldn’t quite get the symmetry right.
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“It’s tough (to concede a quick goal). It’s always horrible when that happens.
“A point is not what we wanted. We wanted three points but I think given the performance, it’s a point that we appreciate.” More

CARLA WARD is backing Jordan Nobbs to put herself in the frame for a spot in Sarina Wiegman’s England squad.And the Aston Villa boss, who has extended her contract as manager of the club’s WSL side, has not ruled out more January transfer signings.
Carla Ward’s contract extension will see her remain at Aston Villa’s helm until the end of next seasonCredit: Getty
Jordan Nobbs impressed Ward on her Villa debut with the player in line to start against Manchester CityCredit: Getty
Ward, 39, whose team take on Manchester City on Saturday, has seen her side make a winning start to the year following Lucy Staniforth and Nobbs joining their ranks. 
The experienced midfield duo were both given debuts by Ward last Saturday with the Villans clinching a 2-1 home win against Tottenham. 
Nobbs’ first turnout in a Villa shirt came just over two months on from her recall to the England squad ahead of Wiegman’s side’s friendly defeat of Japan and draw with Norway.
However the player was forced to withdraw from the Lionesses squad ahead of those November due to a minor injury. 
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Ward, who was impressed by Nobbs’ shift on her Villa debut, said: “After her first game, I’ll be honest, I got straight on the phone to Sarina.  
“I said, ‘You’ve got to be watching our games currently because we’ve got players massively performing and they’re doing well’.”
Villa’s duel with Man City at 11:30 on Saturday comes two days after the club announced a contract extension for Ward.
Her new deal will see her remain in charge of the team until the end of the 2023-24 season. 
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Since taking up the reins after leaving Birmingham City Ward has led her side to a ninth place finish last term. 
And she has strengthened the depth of her squad this term adding experienced internationals to her ranks. 
Players include summer signings Rachel Daly, Kenza Dali and Kirsty Hanson (who is on loan from Manchester United)  with Nobbs and Staniforth joining the club this month. 
On Villa’s progress and the possibility of further signings this month, Ward added: “I’m not sure (of more signings).
“But the window is always alive and kicking until it closes. I’ll continue to knock on (Villa head of women’s football) Lee Billiard’s door. 
“Some of the infrastructure we’ve put in place, and some of the bodies we’ve brought in has been key to the success on the pitch.
“Now it’s about moving forward.”
Ward’s efforts around development of the team has provided some reward this term. 
Villa could move up to fifth in the WSL if they defeat Manchester City before Everton’s and West Ham’s clashCredit: Getty
Her side have reached the knockout stages of the Continental Cup and notched up five wins from their first ten games including a 4-3 defeat of Man City in the league.
Ward, reflecting on the win, said: “That day I was emotionally drained by the 90th minute. 
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“It was an unbelievable game of football that I’ve watched back a few times. 
“I think this one will be very different. Manchester City have progressed massively, as have we.” More

SARA BJORK GUNNARSDOTTIR wants to ensure no players have to go through the ordeal she experienced during her battle with Lyon for back-dated maternity pay. The midfield ace, 32, opened up on the experience which led to her winning a landmark maternity pay ruling.
Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir won a landmark maternity pay ruling after her case against Lyon was brought before a Fifa tribunalCredit: Reuters
Gunnarsdottir helped Lyon to win the Champions League in August 2020 when she netted in a 3-1 contest final defeat of WolfsburgCredit: Getty
The French giants were instructed to pay her back-dated wages plus interest by a Fifa tribunal.
The club were ordered to pay the player more than £72,188 (€82,094.82). 
The player made the decision to take her former club and Lyon to the tribunal after receiving only partial salary payments during her pregnancy
Following the findings of the ruling, which were published on Tuesday, Gunnarsdottir said her case was ‘bigger than herself’. 
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And she described the outcome as a ‘wake up call for all clubs’. 
In a post shared via her official Twitter account Gunnarsdottir wrote: “It’s a message to all players that if they get pregnant or want to get pregnant during their career they have their rights and guarantees!”
The midfielder, who represented Iceland at the Euros, added: “This is not ‘just business’.
“This is about my rights as a worker, as a woman and as a human being.”
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Gunnarsdottir, who retired from international football this month, has been publicly backed by a host of top players in the women’s game.
They include Arsenal and Scotland ace Jen Beattie, USA and OL heroine Megan Rapinoe and Portugal and Benfica forward Jessica Silva.
In a tweet Rapinoe wrote: “This is utterly disgraceful from@OLfeminin. The culture at OL in France has a long way to go. 
“Y’all love to talk about how much you support women, but this math is not mathing. I implore you to be the club that is always supporting women, not the club that once did.”
Gunners heroine Beattie tweeted: “Credit to you @sarabjork18 for speaking out on such an important topic for women in work.”
In her tweeted message, Silva wrote: “There is still a long long way to go.
“I’m sad that Sara had to go through this, but I’m very happy to see that she won this fight.
“All of us will benefit from this in football and any other sports.” 
In a piece published on The Players’ Tribune website Gunnarsdottir revealed Lyon had stopped paying most of her wages while she was on maternity leave. 
The Champions League-winning midfielder, who sealed a transfer to Juventus last July, took the club to a Fifa tribunal whilst pregnant with her son Ragnar in a bid to obtain the requisite payments.
Gunnarsdottir told The Players Tribune she wants to make sure no player has go through what she experienced during her maternity pay caseCredit: Alamy
Gunnarsdottir, said: “For a while I just had so much else going on.
“I didn’t have time to think or be concerned about my salaries from the club. 
“I didn’t have any reason to think anything would go wrong.
“Until I didn’t get my first paycheck. All that was deposited was just a small percentage from social security.
“To be fair, there was a lot of logistical stuff to deal with, so I didn’t think too much of it. Probably a clerical error. 
“But, I checked with the other players just to be sure. They were paid, right on time. 
“Then I missed another. So I’m like, Hold on. I called (my agent) Dietmar and he wrote to Vincent, the club director. 
“There was no response, so my agency reached out again. Then, we sent formal letters.
“When Vincent finally responded, he apologised for two of the months I was missing, and said I would get paid for those. 
“But for the third month, he says something about how they’re going by French law — meaning, they don’t owe me anything else.
“I said to Dietmar, ‘No that’s not right, they should be going by the FIFA rules.'”
Gunnarsdottir sought assistance from professional players’ union Fifpro following partial payments she received from the club.
The international body helped the former Lyon player with her case which was brought before a Fifa tribunal with the football authority later ruling in her favour.
“I want to make sure no one has to go through what I went through ever again. Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir
On Tuesday Fifpro described the ruling as the ‘first of its kind’ in football. 
In a written statement shared via its Twitter account, the body said:  “FIFPRO congratulates Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir on her successful claim against Lyon over the club’s failure to pay her full salary during pregnancy.
“We are pleased to have assisted her in achieving the first ruling of its kind since FIFA’s maternity regulations came into force in January 2021.
“It is extremely important for women footballers and the women’s game that these mandatory maternity regulations are both implemented and enforced at national level.”
Gunnarsdottir added: “I want to make sure no one has to go through what I went through ever again.
“And I want Lyon to know this is not O.K.”
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According to regulations officially agreed by the Fifa Council in 2020 clubs are obliged to give players “14 weeks maternity leave” and “to reintegrate them afterwards and provide adequate medical support.”
As part of the reforms female players are entitled to 14 weeks of paid maternity leave equal to at least two thirds of their contracted salary.  More

JOHANNA RYTTING KANERYD sees herself as a late bloomer after enduring three major injuries in her mid-teens and early twenties. Since then the Chelsea midfielder, 25, whose team face Arsenal later, has emerged as one of Sweden’s most promising attacking midfielders.  
Rytting Kaneryd has started three times in her nine WSL appearances for Chelsea since her August move to the clubCredit: Getty
The midfielder says her decision to move to the club was an easy oneCredit: Getty
The player, regarded as one of Europe’s rising stars, joined Emma Hayes ranks last August sealing a move from Swedish side BK Hacken. 
The Kingsmeadow ace, who helped her national side reach last year’s Euros semi-finals said: “I had three big injuries early in my career. 
“It’s why I feel like I’m a little bit of a late bloomer even though I was a young talent.
“I had two ACL (anterior cruciate) injuries. The first one was when I was 15-years-old. 
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“Later I injured my other knee and had some problems with my meniscus. 
“I recovered from that but then a few years later (in 2018), in the same week that I signed for Rosengard, I had an ACL injury. 
“In total it was three years (of playing time) that I missed (due to injuries).”
Rytting Kaneryd’s journey to football’s elite level began during her childhood growing up in Kolsva, a small village in Sweden.
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She took up football as soon as she “could walk” with her earliest years spent playing alongside her twin brother Marcus in a mixed boys and girls’ team. 
The WSL ace added: “It was a special situation against other teams especially before the games. 
“When they (our opponents) looked at our team and saw there were girls in it, they were almost laughing and saying ‘what was this?’
“After the games they were not laughing anymore. 
“It was nice to look at them after a game (we’d won) and be like ‘okay, you’re not that cocky anymore’. 
Rytting Kaneryd’s Chelsea switch has seen her become one of several elite players from Sweden to join the league leaders in recent years. 
Compatriots who have contributed to Chelsea’s silverware success under Hayes include Magda Eriksson, goalkeeper Zecira Musovic and former Blues defender and shot stopper Jonna Andersson and Hedvig Lindahl. 
Since her July 2017 move from Linkoping, Blues captain Eriksson has skippered the team to three consecutive WSL titles from 2020. 
The centre-back was also part of the squad that won a league crown in 2018. 
Rytting Kaneryd added: “I heard good things about the club from the Swedish players that have been here. 
“It was an easy decision (to move) after I spoke with Zecira, Magda and the girls who have been here before.
“Our mentality is the same and we want to achieve a lot.
“I also spoke to Emma just before signing as well and got a really good feeling. 
“As a manager Emma has something extra about herself, she is special in many ways. 
“I have learned a lot from being coached by her. Our meetings are never boring.”
Rytting Kaneryd’s career took off when she chose to move away from home at 15 with the player later joining Swedish club Tyreso FF.
That decision would see her join the club’s senior side in 2014.
At the time their star-studded side included Brazil and USA icons Marta and Christen Press and Sweden midfield heroine Caroline Seger.
Rytting Kaneryd was part of a Tyreso squad that reached the Champions League final in 2014.
The Sweden ace was an unused substitute during the match which her team lost 4-3 to German giants Wolfsburg.
Her senior career includes a two-year spell with Swedish giants Rosengard from 2018 to 2020
Back then the club were managed by Jonas Eidevall before his Gunners head coach appointment. 
Chelsea could extend their lead over Arsenal to six points should they win at the EmiratesCredit: Getty
And she could be in line the to play against her former boss with Arsenal aiming to close the three-point gap between themselves and the WSL leaders
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The midfielder added: “It’s one of those matches you really love to play in.
“Hopefully it’s going to be a good game and a big challenge.” More

THE Women’s Super League returned with a bang with Aston Villa getting off to a flier start to the year with a 2-1 defeat of Tottenham. Today’s fixtures will see ten sides in action including Arsenal and title rivals Chelsea in one of the biggest games of the weekend. 
Jonas Eidevall’s Gunners will be targeting their first win against Arsenal in the league since September 2021Credit: Getty
Chelsea hope to extend their lead at the top of the league to six points with a first win against the Gunners at the Emirates this yearCredit: Getty
Here is a look at all the fixtures taking place today with the Gunners and the Blues kicking off proceedings this lunchtime.
Arsenal vs Chelsea 
Kick-off time: 12 midday
TV channel: Sky Sports Main/Sky Sports Football 
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As far as Jonas Eidevall, 39, and Emma Hayes, 46, are concerned, every match their teams play in the top tier are just as important as today’s one at the Emirates.  
But for many WSL followers this fixture could potentially be among the most decisive in terms of this term’s title.
The league leading Blues are chasing a fourth consecutive top-flight crown
And Gunners after their first since finishing at the WSL’s summit  in 2019 under former gaffer Joe Montemorro. 
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Arsenal, who are currently three points behind their visitors, are chasing their first major silverware win under Eidevall following his appointment in June 2021. 
And they have a game in hand on the Blues who have played 10 fixtures to date.  
Should every one of the 45,000 fans who have bought tickets flock to today’s match, it will be the second-highest attended clash in the WSL.
Emma Hayes is hoping for lively fan atmosphere away from home with Arsenal having sold 45,000 tickets to today’s gameCredit: PA
Hayes said “I’ve done this (job) for 10 years and I don’t even know how many times we have faced Arsenal.
“We’re probably in the double digits over this length of time.
“I love that we’re playing in a big stadium. That for me is the special piece.
 “That’s something we are excited about (playing in front of big crowd).
“We’re going to play with that noise and that volume and we’re looking forward to it.”
The Gunners have been busy in the January transfer window following ACL injuries to Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema. 
In addition to signing Canada goalkeeper Sabrina D’Angelo they also reinforced their attacking depth. 
Before today’s game Arsenal signed midfielder Victoria Pelova, 23, from Ajax along with 19-year-old Denmark attacking midfielder Katherine Kuhl from Danish outfit FC Nordsjaelland.
And their opponents have added forward and Japan Under-20s starlet Maika Hamano to their ranks. 
The player, who joined from INAC Kobe Leonessa, is spending the rest of this season on loan at Swedish side Hammarby IF. 
Today’s match will be the Gunners’ first game following Beth Mead sadly revealing her mother June had passed away following her battle with ovarian cancer
And her team-mates are set to wear black armbands in honour of the Arsenal ace’s mum at today’s match. 
Eidevall said: “It’s been difficult for the team, and I want to send my condolences to Beth Mead and her family for the loss of her mother. 
“That’s obviously something that has been taking a lot of energy for us as a team to have a teammate that goes through that.
“The players have asked to play with black armbands to honour that, and that we are going to do.
Hayes added: “What an extremely tough time Beth is going through. 
“While her absence on the pitch will be greatly missed on the pitch by her team this is about the team and (the football) community being around her.”
Arsenal player’s are set to pay tribute to Beth Mead’s mother June who passed away earlier this month.Credit: PA
Everton vs Reading 
Kick-off time: 1:00 pm 
TV channel: The FA Player 
Kelly Chambers’ Reading have won three of their last four games across all competitions 
The ninth placed Royals came close to clinching a draw against Chelsea before falling to a 3-2 loss in their last fixture before the festive break. 
Chambers, 37, said: “Before Christmas we had good momentum and were picking up results 
“As much as we didn’t pick up a result against Chelsea, our performance was outstanding.
“Minus a refereeing decision we could have potentially taken a point.”
Everton, who host their rivals at Walton Hall Park this afternoon, have won four of their past five games against Reading. 
Their league form so far this season has been mixed with the team registering four wins and five losses from their first nine games. 
The Toffees dropped down to seventh after being leapfrogged by Aston Villa who clinched a win against Tottenham in the first WSL game of this year. 
Should the Royals win today and Liverpool lose against Manchester United, Chambers’ side could move up to eighth in the table above Spurs. 
Kelly Chambers’ Royals are aiming to pick up their third win of the season when they visit EvertonCredit: Getty
Manchester United vs Liverpool 
Kick-off time: 2:05 pm 
TV channel: BBC One/BBC iPlayer 
Manchester United are set to take Liverpool in the WSL for the second time in the league’s history. 
Marc Skinner’s Red Devils, who are third, are chasing a top three finish with the club targeting a place in the Champions League for the first time in their history. 
And they are considered as potential dark horses for the title with the team currently six points behind leaders Chelsea with a game in hand. 
Liverpool, who made their return to the top tier last summer after winning promotion from the Championship, hope to pick up their third match win this season.
They will take on United at the Red Devils’ Leigh Sports Village base which has become something of a fortress for Skinner’s side who have won 10 of their last 11 home fixtures.
Matt Beard’s side, who are ninth, have taken just one point from their away games against United and Manchester City since June 2016. 
A Reds win would see them leapfrog Tottenham to move up to eighth. 
Should Man United win and Arsenal and Chelsea draw today, Skinner’s side will move to within three points of the league leaders. 
Manchester United hope to maintain their formidable home form by registering an eleventh win from their twelfth home game this termCredit: Getty
Leicester City vs Brighton 
Kick off time: 3:00 pm 
TV channel: The FA Player 
Willie Kirk’s Leicester, who are bottom of the league, host a Brighton team playing their first game under their new boss Jens Scheuer. 
The former Bayern Munich chief has become the first German-born head coach to take charge of a WSL team following his appointment last December. 
Since hiring Scheuer Brighton have been busy in the transfer window.  
The Seagulls have brought in experienced talent from the USA’s National Women’s Soccer League and Women’s Professional Soccer division as well as top divisions in Europe. 
Albion’s newest additions include Norway centre-back Guro Bergsvand, 28, and Serbia midfielder Dejana Stefanovic who is 25.
And the club have added Brianna Visalli, 27, and Zoe Morse, 24, to their ranks with the midfielder and defender joining from Houston Dash and Chicago Red Stars
Jens Scheuer is targeting maximum points for Brighton from his first WSL game since taking charge of AlbionCredit: Getty
Today’s game could potentially be one of the most pivotal matches for both sides with Albion currently second from bottom.  
The Foxes are yet to pick up a point this term having lost their first nine games this term.
They will hope to register a win that could see them cut the gap between themselves and their opponents to four points. 
And the team come into this match off the back of a 5-0 trouncing of Championship side Sunderland in the Continental Cup on Wednesday.
Today’s match at the King Power Stadium could feature two of Leicester’s January signings. 
The club have acquired Bayern Munich goalkeeper Janina Leitzig on loan for the rest of this term and Australia striker Remy Siemsen from Sydney FC. 
However they will be without the services of experienced defender Abbie McManus
The Foxes player fractured her leg during the defeat of Sunderland. 
Remy Siemsen could be in line to make her first appearance for the Foxes since her switch from Sydney FC this monthCredit: Getty
West Ham vs Manchester City 
Kick off time: 6:45 pm 
TV channel: Sky Sports Football/Premier League
Paul Konchesky’s West Ham side are sitting fifth in the WSL after a mixed start of five wins and five losses in the league. 
The Irons have been beaten in six of their last seven duels with Manchester City with Gareth Taylor’s side fourth and currently four points in front of their rivals. 
However Konchesky says his side have no intention of parking the bus when they face a Citizens team which includes Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw. 
The Jamaica striker, who is the second highest scorer in the league this term, has bagged eight goals in nine WSL games to date. 
Paul Konchesky says West Ham have a plan to nullify Khadija Shaw’s scoring threatCredit: PA
Of the City striker’s form, Konchesky, 41, said: “Shaw is probably one of their main threats.
“When you play against someone of her stature, it’s always difficult to defend.
“With our game plan we will try and stop her.
” If we starve the service (to her) then she can’t score.”
City have won their last three away games against West Ham in the league scoring six times and conceding just once
The game will see Citizens forward Yui Hasegawa go up against her former club 
with the Japan ace having scored once in seven games for City. 
Irons chief Konchesky said: “We respect Manchester City but I think if you respect them too much that’s when they can get on top of you. We won’t be a team that sits back.
A home win for the Irons will see move just one behind Man CityCredit: Getty
“I don’t want my team to play like that, I want us to play on the front foot. 
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“We know Man City are good, but we’re good as well so we’re playing the team who’s fourth and we’re fifth.
“We’re up there for a reason so we’re going to go for it. We want to start this year on the front foot.” More